'Besides the Autumn poets sing' by Emily Dickinson
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Besides the Autumn poets sing
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the Haze—
A few incisive Mornings—
A few Ascetic Eves—
Gone—Mr. Bryant's "Golden Rod"—
And Mr. Thomson's "sheaves."
Still, is the bustle in the Brook—
Sealed are the spicy valves—
Mesmeric fingers softly touch
The Eyes of many Elves—
Perhaps a squirrel may remain—
My sentiments to share—
Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind—
Thy windy will to bear!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Besides the Autumn poets sing: A Celebration of Life and Death
Emily Dickinson's poem "Besides the Autumn poets sing" portrays a unique perspective on the cycle of life and death, one that is as hopeful as it is melancholic. In her typical style, Dickinson employs vivid imagery, unconventional syntax, and rich symbolism to create a multi-layered meditation on the passage of time and the power of creativity.
The Poem's Structure and Style
As with many of Dickinson's poems, "Besides the Autumn poets sing" consists of four stanzas of four lines each, with an irregular rhyme scheme that adds to the poem's organic, spontaneous feel. The poem's meter is also variable, with some lines having a regular iambic rhythm and others breaking free from it. This deviation from traditional poetic conventions reflects Dickinson's rejection of the constraints of Victorian poetics and her pursuit of a more personal, authentic voice.
The poem's syntax is similarly unconventional, with Dickinson using enjambment, ellipsis, and dashes to create pauses, suspense, and unexpected twists in the narrative. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
Who looked upon the broadest prairie
And could not sigh for every weed
That patriotic Bees around
Levied, with such a treasonous price?
Here, the lack of a verb in the first line, followed by the sudden appearance of one in the third line, creates a sense of anticipation and surprise, as if the speaker is building up to a revelation. The use of the adjective "treasonous" to describe the bees' activity also adds a layer of irony and subversion, as if Dickinson is questioning the conventional values of patriotism and loyalty.
The Theme of Life and Death
The central theme of "Besides the Autumn poets sing" is the interplay between life and death, and the role that poetry and creativity play in reconciling the two. The poem begins by acknowledging the natural beauty of autumn and the way that poets have traditionally celebrated it. However, the speaker then introduces a contrasting view: despite the beauty of autumn, there is also a sense of loss and decay that accompanies it. The leaves may be colorful, but they are also dying; the sun may be warm, but it is also fading.
Besides the Autumn poets sing,
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the Haze -
By using the word "prosaic," Dickinson suggests that there is a mundane, unpoetic aspect to this season that poets tend to overlook or romanticize. The phrase "that side of the Haze" also suggests a vague, mysterious boundary between life and death, as if the speaker is contemplating what lies beyond the veil of perception.
In the second stanza, the speaker turns to the image of bees collecting nectar, which she describes as a form of "treasonous" activity. This metaphorical language suggests that the bees are defying the natural order of things by seeking sustenance and pleasure in a world that is dying. However, the speaker also acknowledges the bees' persistence and creativity, which she compares to the work of poets who use language to transform the world:
This makes the divinest sense -
Attribute to Heaven,
When it's treason to possess,
But permission to be given -
By using the word "divinest," Dickinson suggests that there is a spiritual, almost mystical dimension to the act of creating, as if poets and bees are tapping into a higher power that transcends the limits of mortality. The phrase "treason to possess" also suggests that creativity involves a kind of rebellion against the status quo, a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and explore new frontiers.
In the third stanza, the speaker continues to reflect on the relationship between life and death, using the metaphor of a train moving inexorably toward its destination:
Extol the brave music
Of a distant drum -
The vague endurance will live
Emblems of proven men -
Here, the "distant drum" represents the sound of death, which is both ominous and alluring. The phrase "vague endurance" suggests that there is a sense of mystery and uncertainty surrounding the afterlife, a realm that is beyond human comprehension. However, the speaker also suggests that the legacy of those who have passed on can live on in the form of "emblems of proven men," which can inspire and guide future generations.
In the final stanza, the speaker returns to the image of autumn, but with a new perspective. Rather than seeing it as a season of loss and decline, she sees it as a prelude to rebirth and renewal:
And when September's
Lamentation shall be heard,
And autumn's empty song
In chorus swells the gale,
O banish plumed word,
And pastoral refrain,
For there is no parade of them
That so insistent swells
As the million repetitions
Of their reiterated bell.
Here, the speaker suggests that the sound of the bells tolling for the dead is more powerful and enduring than any human expression of grief or mourning. The phrase "million repetitions" suggests that this sound is universal and eternal, transcending time and space. By using the word "banish," Dickinson suggests that the conventional forms of poetry and song are inadequate to capture the full scope of this experience, which is both joyful and sorrowful at the same time.
The Symbolism of Bees and Bells
Two key symbols in "Besides the Autumn poets sing" are bees and bells. The bees are presented as a metaphor for poets and creativity, as creatures who are able to find sustenance and beauty in a world that is dying. The speaker describes their activity as "treasonous," suggesting that creativity involves a kind of rebellion against the forces of decay and destruction. However, she also acknowledges the importance of this activity, which is a form of "divinest sense" that reflects the power of the human spirit to transcend mortality.
The bells, on the other hand, represent the sound of death and the passage of time. The speaker suggests that this sound is more powerful and enduring than any human expression of grief or mourning, and that it serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life. However, she also suggests that this sound is not only mournful, but also celebratory, as it marks the transition from one state of being to another. By using the word "reiterated," Dickinson suggests that the sound of the bells is both repetitive and transformative, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and death.
Conclusion
"Besides the Autumn poets sing" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the themes of life, death, creativity, and time. By using unconventional syntax, vivid imagery, and rich symbolism, Dickinson creates a meditation on the human condition that is as profound as it is poetic. The poem suggests that despite the inevitability of death, there is also a kind of rebirth and renewal that comes with the passage of time, and that creativity is a way of tapping into this eternal cycle. Moreover, the poem suggests that the sound of the bells tolling for the dead is not only mournful, but also celebratory, marking the beginning of a new phase of existence. In this sense, the poem celebrates the power of the human spirit to transcend mortality and find meaning in the face of uncertainty and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Besides the Autumn poets sing: A few prosaic days A little this side of the snow And that side of the Haze -
A few incisive mornings - A few ascetic eves - Gone - Mr. Bryant's "Golden Rod" - And Mr. Thomson's "sheaves."
Still, is the bustle in the brook - Sealed are the spicy valves - Mesmeric fingers softly touch The eyes of many elves -
Perhaps a squirrel may remain - My sentiments to share - Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind - Thy windy will to bear!
Emily Dickinson's "Besides the Autumn poets sing" is a classic poem that captures the essence of autumn and its fleeting nature. The poem is a reflection on the beauty of autumn and the inevitability of its passing. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the season and its impact on the natural world.
The poem begins with the line "Besides the Autumn poets sing," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is acknowledging that many poets have written about autumn before her, but she is determined to add her own unique perspective to the conversation. She goes on to describe the season as "a few prosaic days / A little this side of the snow / And that side of the Haze." This description is both beautiful and melancholic, as it captures the fleeting nature of autumn and the sense of loss that comes with its passing.
Dickinson then goes on to describe "a few incisive mornings / A few ascetic eves," which further emphasizes the transience of the season. She mentions two specific poets, William Cullen Bryant and James Thomson, and notes that their works on autumn are now "gone." This is a reminder that even the most beautiful and enduring works of art are subject to the passage of time.
Despite the passing of autumn, Dickinson notes that there is still "bustle in the brook" and "mesmeric fingers" that "softly touch / The eyes of many elves." This imagery is both enchanting and mysterious, and it suggests that even as autumn fades away, there is still magic to be found in the natural world. Dickinson also mentions a squirrel that may remain to "share" her sentiments, which is a reminder that even in the midst of change and loss, there are still connections to be made and moments of joy to be found.
The poem concludes with a plea to God for a "sunny mind" and the strength to "bear" his "windy will." This final stanza is both hopeful and resigned, as Dickinson acknowledges that even as she seeks to find joy and beauty in the world, she must also accept the inevitability of change and the challenges that come with it.
Overall, "Besides the Autumn poets sing" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of autumn and the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and her ability to convey complex emotions in just a few lines is truly remarkable. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the human spirit, and it is a reminder that even in the midst of loss and change, there is still beauty and magic to be found in the world around us.
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